PREFACE. THE design of the author is to present a concise and impartial history of a subject which for more than sixty years has been of importance to the nation and of interest to the people. He desires to acknowledge the aid derived from the collection of authorities by Mr. J. F. Jameson, Ph. D., in President Gilman's "Life of Monroe," and to express his thanks to his friend Mr. W. E. Foster, of the Providence Free Public Library, for several timely suggestions. G. F. T. BOSTON, Feb. 2, 1885. |